IPL 2019: Royal Challengers Bangalore SWOT analysis

Opportunities

RCB have got the team to lift the title, and all they need is to get the combinations right. With players suited for each slot, that should not be much of a problem this time around.

If everyone performs to even half of their potential, RCB will be the team to beat this IPL.

Without having too many issues related to the availability of players due to the World Cup, RCB have the advantage over many teams.

Speaking of individuals, the platform is set for young Hetmyer and Dubey to make a mark on the big stage. Siraj, with the responsibility of handling the death bowling, will only grow from here.

Threats

Moeen Ali

Kohli claimed to have got the most settled squad ever for RCB after the 2018 auctions, which to a large extent was true. But the results did not go their way, courtesy the inability to get the balance in the squad into the balance in the playing XI.

Despite having options like Moeen Ali and Colin de Grandhomme, who can bat in the lower middle order and give more than 6 overs together, Kohli and the management stuck with the rusty Corey Andersen for too long. They struggled to get the combination right for the first half of the tournament, and when they finally got it right, it was too late to make a comeback.

The same would hold true this time around. The biggest threat to RCB lies in their ability or inability to get the right combination at the right time.

Also, the availability of Kohli for the full season might be in doubt, considering the BCCI might look to reduce the skipper's workload before the World Cup.

Probable Playing XI:

Parthiv Patel (wk), Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, Shimron Hetmyer, Shivam Dubey, Moeen Ali/ Marcus Stoinis, Washington Sundar, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal